We have just been discussing this issue on the family life forum: what is your opinion? Is it permissible for a muslim to greet a non-muslim with the words "assalam alaikum wa rehmantullah wa barakatu" or not? why?

There are both, religious and social reasons attached to it.
Even without knowing whether or not its haram to say 'salam' to a non muslim, you will rarely see a muslim saying 'assalamo alaikum warahmatullahe wabarakatoh' to a non-muslim. The reason behind that is basically social. When you greet someone, you always get a similar greeting in return, or expect to get a similar greeting in return. If u greet someone by saying "Hey", you cannot expect a "Good Morning" in return. You will ubdoubtedly get a "hey' right back. And on the other hand, if you greet someone by saying "Good morning", and in response you get a simple "hi", you wont exactly feel good about it.
Thats primarily the reason as to why saying Assalamo alaikum to a non muslim isnt practical, because you wont get a walaikum assalam in return. If an indian says 'namaskar' to u, u would rarely respond the same way. You would probably just reply with a 'hello'.

As for religious reasons, i figure the primary reason is the use of Allahs name in salam. Other than that, if anyone has any quranic order stipulating it, pls go ahead. But I dont know if its absolutely forbidden or not.

“Assalamu Alaykum” means more than just “Good morning” or “Good afternoon”. It means you are extending not only your wishes for Allah’s peace to be upon the person, but also you are extending your own guarantee of peace and security, which you are expected to observe towards every Muslim. In the case of a non-Muslim you may not know whether he wishes you well or not.

Therefore according to a Hadith in Bukhari and Muslim, Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying: “When the people of the Book salute you say: ‘The same to you’.” This is a perfectly polite and reasonable response. A Muslim is not on the other hand to abuse a non-Muslim, even if he abuses you, in accordance with another Hadith in which Aisha related that some Jews asked permission to come in to see the Prophet (r) and said, “Death (i.e. Sam, not salam) be upon you.” Aisha retorted “No, but upon you be death and a curse”. The Prophet responded “God is kind, Aisha, and likes kindness in everything.” She asked if he had not heard what they said, and he replied that he had responded with “and upon you”. (Bukhari and Muslim)

However, if there is a mixed group or even one Muslim in a group of non-Muslims, the salam may be used in accordance with another Hadith in which Usama b. Zaid related that the Messenger of God passed a mixed company of Muslims, polytheists who worshipped idols and Jews and gave them a salutation of peace (Bukhari and Muslim).

There is nevertheless another perspective on this subject, based on several verses of the Qur’an and another Hadith.

According to this Hadith in Bukhari and Muslim the Prophet (r) said: “Say Salam to those you know and those you don’t know”. This would imply that there is no need to enquire or guess at the religion of a person before saying salam. (In the modern context it is not always possible to identify who is a Muslim from his dress or appearance.)

Secondly those who hold this view regard the Hadith about Aisha and the Jews as relating to a particular instance of hostility leading to Aisha’s anger, which the Prophet diffused by telling her he had responded “wa alaik”. This is in accordance with the Qur’anic principle that one may retaliate against injury but not exceed the harm one has received. However this same verse which permits retaliation (Qur’an 5:45) emphasises the superiority of forgiveness. This is repeated in the words of Qur’an 42:40: “The recompense for any injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong.”

Another well-known verse says: “… repel (evil) with that which is better” (Qur’an 41:34). Surah 49:12 tells us to “avoid suspicion”. Surah 25:63 says: “And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious walk the earth with humility and are those who, when the ignorant address them, say ‘Salaam’.”

Lastly Qur’an 45:14 refers specifically to forgiveness of those who have not understood or believed in Islam: “Tell those who believe to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah: It is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each people according to what they have earned.”

All these verses of the Qur’an point in the direction of the moral superiority of openness, forbearance, forgiveness, magnanimity and good will over retaliation, whether for actual offences or for potential or imagined offences.

Amr bin Shu'aib - Tirmithi: The Messenger of Allah said: "He does not belong to us who imitates people other than us. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians, for the Jews salutation is to make a gesture with the fingers and the Christians salutation is to make a gesture with the palms of the hands."

Ayesha - Bukhari: When some Jews came to the Messenger of Allah and said, "Assaamu 'alaikom" (Death be upon you) and he replied, "Wa 'alaikom" (and upon you), she ('A'isha) said, "Death be upon you and may Allah curse you and be angry with you." The Messenger of Allah then said, "Gently, 'A'isha, keep to kindness and avoid harshness and coarseness." She asked if she had not heard what they said, and he asked if she had not heard what he said, saying, "I replied to them, and my prayer regarding them will be answered, but theirs regarding me will not." In a version of Muslim he said, "Do not be one who uses bad languages for Allah does not like bad language or the use of it."

purana zamana's second post has the answer umer....the hadith from sahih bukhari is a really good one.

Plus, why cant you say hello, guten tag,hola or whatever....because usually wehn you go shopping or go out, you dont stop every muslim on the street and say Asalaam o Alaikum.....where preference of Allah's rehmat is given to MUSLIMS.....

X-Communist: You are right. I'm not talking about saying Salaam to a non-muslim as a substitute for Hello, Guten Tag or whatever.

But what if the person is a non-muslim, who is interested in Islam and might become Muslim soon. Isn't it our "Fard" then to introduce him/her to the basics of Islam (And saying Salaam is one of the basics.)

There is often debate about whether believers can say "Assalaam Alaikum" to the non-believers. I would like your opinion on this with consideration to Surah Al-Furqaan 25:63.

jazakallah ker,

Adnan

Reply:

Most Muslim scholars are of the opinion that Muslims should not greet non Muslims with the words "Assalaam Alaikum " (i.e. 'peace be on you' and 'may you live in safety'). However, the reason for this opinion seems to be that firstly, the words "Assalaam Alaikum" were promoted by the Prophet (pbuh) specifically as a mutual greeting among Muslims only and secondly, in one of the narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh), it is narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) directed the Muslims to respond the greetings of the Jews with the words "Wa Alaikum" (i.e. 'and on you too') only.

Muslim scholars, in view of these narratives, are of the opinion that the words Assalaam Alaikum, should not be used as greetings for non-Muslims and should be restricted to greeting to other Muslims only. Nevertheless, an analysis of the referred narratives ascribed to the Prophet shows that none of these narratives provides a sound basis for holding the opinion.

As far as the first among these narratives is concerned, it obviously does not prohibit greeting non-Muslims with the referred words. The fact that the Prophet directed the Muslims to mutually greet each other with some specific words does not by itself prohibit the Muslims to greet non-Muslims with the same words. Furthermore, a study of the second category of narratives shows that the Prophet (pbuh) directed the Muslims to respond to the greetings of the Jews with the words Wa Alaikum only because of the reason that the Jews, while greeting Muslims, rather than saying Assalaam Alaikum, would twist their tongues and say "Assaam Alaikum", which literally meant death be upon you all. In response to this cursing of the Jews, there were incidents where Muslims had started cursing back at them. The Prophet actually discouraged the Muslims from cursing the Jews, even if that was in response to their cursing them. The Prophet advised the Muslims to use such words in response to the greetings of the Jews that would only return their own greetings/cursings upon them. Thus, the words Wa Alaikum, which literally meant "the same (blessing/curse) be upon you too".

In your question, you have mentioned that in my answer, I should also give consideration to the verse Al-Furqaan 25: 63. The referred verse in my opinion does not relate to the issue under consideration. The verse, on the contrary, directs the Muslims to gracefully avoid entering into heated arguments with ignorant and haughty people. The word Salaam in the referred verse implies the graceful avoidance that the Muslims have been advised.

A view of the above explanation, it may be derived that the Islamic Shari`ah does not prohibit the Muslims to greet non-Muslims with the words Assalaam Alaikum. However, it may be of interest to note that the Prophet (pbuh), at the end of his ministry opted to avoid using these words while greeting other than those, who had accepted faith. The reason for this avoidance is also easily determinable if one is aware of the position of a messenger of God (especially with reference to the removal of all excuse of rejection) as well as the meaning of the words Assalaam Alaikum.

As far as the meaning of the words Assalaam Alaikum is concerned, it has already been explained that it is, in essence, a supplication in favor of the addressees. When a person greets another with the words Assalaam Alaikum (literally meaning 'peace be on you', or 'may you be in safety'), he actually offers his prayers of peace and blessings for the addressees for the life of this world as well as the hereafter. We know that the Qur'an has directed the Prophet as well as the Muslims not to offer any prayers for the polytheists. In view of this directive of the Qur'an, the Prophet as well as the Muslims avoided greeting the non-Muslims - especially the polytheists - with the words Assalaam Alaikum and in place of that greeted them with the words 'Salaamun `alaa mun ittaba`a al-Hudaa' (literally meaning 'peace be on him, who follows the guidance').

I hope this helps. In case any aspect of question remains unanswered, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience.

May God guidance to the path of his liking.

Regards,

The Learner

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If you are interested in the cited verse... this is what it says:

"And the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!";"

Please bear in mind the scholar's opinion about the proper context of this verse and the relevance he therefore attached to it.

This is the salutation which Muslims are taught to give, while greeting other Muslims (and also at the end of every salat).

As discussed above, beside a prayer, it has very deep and important message for non-muslims and non-believers.

The gesture clearly shows to demonstrate that, a Muslim while saying asalmo-alaikum, gives the recipient a security that he/she is in safe hands and should not consider to be harmed from this Muslims. This is the key point in attaining the confidence in others.

Few days’ back, my friend narrated me an incidence; he was distributing a flyer about the introduction of Islam. On his way he met a retired professor, greeted him politely, gave him the flyer, and both moved on their ways. After a block or two, the same gentleman came back to him and said, thankyou so much, this is the message I was looking for all my life – the message of Peace...

I think, in this present day world, our salute of peace is a very powerful tool we possess to attract others; the point of discrimination is not only meaningless but also futile.

Seerat-Nabwi also shows that Prophet Mohammad(sa) used the same welcome note for the non-muslims likewise.

For example, the letters of invitation of Islam, which He wrote to various kings, shows the similar form of salutation.

&gt; From Muhammad, the Servant of God and His Messenger. To Chief of Rome, Heraclius. Whoever treads the path of divine guidance, on him be peace…

&gt; In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful, Muhammad, the Messenger of God, writes to the Negus, King of Abyssinia. O King, peace of God be upon you…

&gt; In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. This letter is from Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Muqauqis, the chief of Copts. Peace be upon him who follows the path of rectitude…

Quran also teaches us to address non-muslims with a message of peace.

&gt; And the servants of the Gracious God are those who walk on the earth modestly and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’

So I suppose Muslims are obliged to say 'asalamo alaikum' to the Muslims and non-Muslims equally.

I find the attitude of "Islamic authorities" (in quotes because I realise that there are a lot of self styled experts) towards Jews very confusing. First of all, it bunches all Jews together. Just as you cannot bunch all muslime together you cannot do so for those of any other religion. Then, marriage is permitted with Jews but not wishing them well?

What is the harm pray with wishing Allah's blessing's on ANYONE else? Or is it our Islamic role to curse Jews as a group?

And rememeber the world is not composed only of Jews or non-Jews.

The way you present your religion is judged not only by what you say about it but also what you do. The behaviour recommended here seems that of showing others we are worse than them not better.